Founded on 1 October 1918, the FBU is one of the UK’s oldest specialist trade unions, with a proud history. Over 100 years, our members have shaped the modern Fire and Rescue Service.

For over a hundred years, the FBU has been the voice of firefighters across the UK. Since 1918 the union has supported firefighters, influenced fire safety policy and won improved pay, terms and conditions for its members.

Formed shortly after the great fire of London as a trade union for firefighters in London, the FBU has become a UK-wide union, which at its centenary, represented around 34,000 men and women in the fire and rescue service, including control staff and retained firefighters.

As the professional voice of firefighters, the FBU continues to play a vital role in shaping the fire and rescue service that exists today.